The path to success is difficult. Pursuing your dreams takes hard work. Your ideas get rejected. People turn you down. You make mistakes. You feel alone and often defeated.

You face speed bumps, obstacles and detours that seem insurmountable. You feel discouraged, disappointed and downtrodden.

There is one thing that will guide you through long days and difficult nights. It’s perseverance.

Perseverance is not a personality trait.

It’s a choice to persist, dig deep and take action when it feels like the world is working against you. It’s the willingness to overcome exhaustion, resistance and unpleasant circumstances. It’s the courage to work hard, stick-to-it and press on no matter what.

Perseverance is a lesson that can be reapplied and revisited when you want to quit and give up on yourself.

You never know what’s around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain. – Tom Hiddleston

4 Must Have Tips for Perseverance and Success

1. Work hard.

Slick online marketers want you to believe that you can get rich quick with your online business as long as you buy their program and follow their directions. This is simply not true. You must put in the hours. You must work hard. It takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. My question to you is, “How hard are you willing to work?”

2. Quiet the voice of resistance.

The voice in your head wants you to stay safe and sound in a comfort zone. It’s the voice that says: “I can’t. It won’t work. That’s a dumb idea. You’re not smart enough. You’re not worthy.” Talk back to the voice. Prove it wrong.

3. Take action.

If you want to be a painter, paint. If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to be a doctor, go to med school. You must do what you say you’re going to do. Taking action wipes out fear. It works. Act deliberately.

4. Maintain enthusiasm.

Keep your spirits high. Know your “big why.” Why do you want what you want? Do you want to find a cure for cancer? Do you want fame? Do you want to increase your income? Create visual reminders of your “big why.” Place them where you’ll see them every day. Be inspired by your future.